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To close out the spring season, members of the Horticulture Media Association of South Australia gathered for the annual ‘Christmas Catch-Up’ in late November. This year’s celebration took us beneath Adelaide’s surface as we explored the historic Treasury building and its network of tunnels.
Guided by Grant from the National Trust of SA, we uncovered fascinating stories about our State’s past—complete with a touch of intrigue and scandal along the way!
The Old Treasury Building in Adelaide – now part of the Adina Apartment Hotel – once safeguarded some of the Colony’s most valuable assets. Its underground vaults stored sensitive government documents, lithographic printing materials used for mapmaking, and, most famously, nearly 13 tonnes of gold brought from the Victorian goldfields between 1852 and 1853.
The gold was processed and smelted on-site before being secured in the Treasury vaults. The tunnels also provided discreet passageways for government officials, with long-standing speculation that they once linked to nearby buildings such as Parliament House and Government House.
After the tour, members enjoyed festive food and drinks in the picturesque courtyard nestled behind the building. For those planning to visit Adelaide for The Laurels next year, we highly recommend adding the Treasury tour – and the courtyard hospitality – to your itinerary.
Merry Christmas from HMA SA
